Recent White House missteps create rift with GOP legislators

The Washington Times ^ | March 1, 2006 | Charles Hurt

[Bratch]

Tensions between Republican lawmakers and the White House have reached an all-time high, say Republicans on Capitol Hill.

President Bush's sagging poll numbers, the administration's handling of the Dubai port deal and lingering bad memories of Harriet Miers' failed Supreme Court nomination have left a broad spectrum of Republicans on Capitol Hill with little good will toward the White House.

"I was offended," Sen. Trent Lott, Mississippi Republican, said of Mr. Bush's threat last week to veto legislation aimed at stopping the transfer of port operations to a company owned by the United Arab Emirates. He said Mr. Bush "threatened me before I even knew the details of what was involved or whether I was going to vote for the bill or not."

Mr. Lott said his immediate reaction was: "OK, big boy, I'll just vote to override your veto."

He called the White House, he said, to advise administration officials that they'd run afoul of some of their strongest allies in Congress.

"Don't threaten me like that again," said the former majority leader, recounting the conversation with an official he declined to name. "It doesn't make a difference if you're a Republican or a Democrat. Don't put your fist in my face. Where I'm from, we're willing to fight back."

In both the House and Senate, Republicans say they've never seen relations with the Bush administration more strained.

"This has been a tipping point for the relationship between the White House and Capitol Hill," said one House Republican staffer. "No longer will Republicans simply fall into line on major issues when they disagree with the president."

[Bratch]

Mr. Lott said his immediate reaction was: "OK, big boy, I'll just vote to override your veto."

He called the White House, he said, to advise administration officials that they'd run afoul of some of their strongest allies in Congress.

"Don't threaten me like that again," said the former majority leader, recounting the conversation with an official he declined to name. "It doesn't make a difference if you're a Republican or a Democrat. Don't put your fist in my face. Where I'm from, we're willing to fight back."

Except against LIBERALS, you spineless twit.

[pepperdog]

Trent thinks that he is still head of the Ole Miss cheerleaders.

Calling Lott a spineless twit is way to generous.

[speedy]

Exactly. Lott seems to have more spine when it comes to fighting the GOP than the Rats. Wish he would have talked to Daschle like that when he was Majority Leader.

[writmeister]

Why do I get a certain image when Senator Lott uses the phrase "Big Boy"?

[stopem]

""No longer will Republicans simply fall into line on major issues when they disagree with the president."

I don't believe I would want my Senator or Congressman to be "yes-men" and give the President carte blanche to spend money anyway he sees fit or pass any deal he shoves in their face, well you get the idea.

[OldFriend]

Washington Times using Lott as some kind of republican benchmark of disagreement with the President?

[LibLieSlayer]

""I was offended," Sen. Trent Lott, Mississippi Republican,"

I know this man, as he is my Senator. He was not offended as much as I am that he is my Senator. I prayed for his retirement. What a tool!

LLS

[LibLieSlayer]

He is only a YES MAN when it fills his wallet, or increases his own power! He is a turn-coat opportunist. I have known him for many years!

LLS

[teddyballgame]

The title of this thread is missing a "Linguini Spine Republicans Alert"

[montag813]

The way things are going, Bush is going to drag the GOP into the ground in November. His despicable ties with Arab scum has distorted his judgement. Announcing a 45-day review and then prejudging it by saying he will approve it anyway was simply horrible.